THE FALSE SPIRIT - 2nd BEAST - FALSE PROPHET

The False Spirit: The Second Beast Who is the False Prophet

vs. 11-17

 

"And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon." "And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed." "And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men," "And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live." "And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed." "And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:" "And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name."

The Person of the False Spirit vs. 11-12

"And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon." "And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed."

The Origination of the Second Beast vs. 11

"Out of the earth."

Some think "earth" refers to a more settled condition of things (religious) than the term "sea" of 13:1. But this term may be taken literally, namely, up out of the earth which means out of the Abyss. This may be, then, an evil spirit. It is certain that there is a definite relation to the first beast and to the dragon.

The Description of the Second Beast vs. 11-12

"And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon." "And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed."

• Character: He is a wild beast, as the original denotes. This describes accurately the viciousness of his nature, controlled only by one law, and that is the law of his own appetite.
• Appearance: He has two horns like a lamb. Horns indicate power, but this power is not that of political strength. These are horns of a lamb, and the lamb is more the emblem of sacrifice and tenderness. This may refer then to religious power.
• Message: He spake as a dragon. Since this does not refer to his appearance, it must necessarily point to his message. With all the religious subtlety of the serpent through the centuries, this beast propa­gates a message of religious delusion (2 Cor. 11:13-15). cf. also 2 Cor. 4:4.
• Authority: He exercises all the power of the first beast, suggesting that he drives his authority from the first beast. That he speaks like a dragon may also suggest that ultimately he derives his power from the dragon. Thus we have here in these three the Satanic trinity made over the pattern of the Divine Trinity.

The Organization of the Second Beast vs. 12
"And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed."

Position Under the First Beast

"Before him."

These words do not give the impression of priority in time, but subjugation under. They suggest the fact that this second beast is in some way subservient to the first beast, as prime minister, premier, personal counsellor, popular contact person, etc.

Purpose of the Second Beast

"To worship the first beast."

Apparently there is more of a religious significance to this beast than anything else. It is his purpose to turn the attention of the world to this central figure, not merely as a great person, but a great person with religious meaning. This is purpose and function of Holy Spirit toward Christ (cf. John 16:8-15).

Practice of the Second Beast

"And causeth the earth."

The word "causeth" is the word "make" in the present tense. It implies that this one has power to operate. He has power to plan, create, produce, put into operation and compel adherence to his plans. This certainly implies persecution for those who rebel against his plans.